Tag Archives: Race

Amy, Jeremy and I made our way to Cousin’s Paintball field for a day filled with zombies and mud! One of the things I like about this obstacle race was how seriously they took it. The zombies weren’t just people dressed in halloween costumes, they actually had an area where professional makeup was applied.

There were a ton of people standing around and enjoying the DJ and other festivities. We were in the 9AM flight and lined up to start. My stomach started churning just before we began! I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting, but in some areas there were 20-30 zombies waiting to take your flags. Some of them were runners and some were walkers who barely moved. Thankfully, they had rules that not all of your flags could be taken in one leg! Otherwise, I would have been dead in the first area. It was a lot of fun trying to dart around the zombies and to see the different outfits. The zombies weren’t allowed to touch you at the obstacles, but anywhere else and all was fair game!

The obstacles were quite muddy and some of them were trying. I was able to get over a few walls that were about 4 feet tall, but wasn’t able to climb over a 10ft wall, which Amy made! I’m a chicken when it comes to heights like that!

We went into one building that was completely black. I assumed it would be just a dark place where people jumped out at you, but nope…they had wires hanging around that shocked you. I mean, shake your teeth shock you. Wasn’t exactly pleasant!

I turned around as soon as I was shocked and crawled back out the entry! I lost my last flag toward the end, as did Amy. Amy would have made it through if the Zombies didn’t talk to each other and tattle on her! In fact, it shouldn’t be legal for them to talk. Zombies can’t talk. The last mud obstacle was a crawling one. Some of it wasn’t so bad on my knees because it was squishy but some of it was more rock than mud and wasn’t pleasant!

From there you climbed up some wood slats to the top of the water slide. This scared the tar out of me. Amy was already at the top and helped me get up there since there was no where to hold on to pull myself up. With all that mud on my feet I was slipping and sliding!

The water in the tub had chlorine, probably to help kill any crap you picked up in the mud! There was one last zombie crowd to get through to the finish. However, I didn’t have my flag left for them to take. We tried to fake the zombies out by running together to help these other two people make it through with a flag. One of them made it, but one did not!

We were infected!

We were able to shower off and watch the rest of the people try to finish. They were taking shoe donations and had quite a nice pile when we were leaving!

On our way out we saw this one lady with a zombie baby backpack. She passed us during the race!

So, while we were infected, it was a good time all around!

We finished in 1:30, which wasn’t too bad considering all of the obstacles and mud!

Happy five years of Muddy Trailing it! This was my first race (2008) I ever participated in (5K) and I can honestly say one of the more challenging races. Mike has been doing the 10K while I do the 5K (2009, 2010, 2012). This year I decided I was going to do the 10K because I had yet to do an actual 10K race. I have done plenty of 5Ks, a 5 miler, a 10 miler, a couple of 1/2 marathons, and a marathon relay but no 10K!

I decided this year that I didn’t want to carry my phone/camera with me so I only have a shot of Mike and I at the end of the race. Sorry guys! Last year they had an issue with the shuttles that were supposedly fixed this year, however we saw a lot of people walking again and the line for the shuttle was long so Mike and I walked from the parking area to the race site (1.5 miles). We got there just as the kids were finishing their fun run and the 5K race was going to start. Thankfully, I had time to cool off a little bit in the shade before starting the run.

At 4:05 they put us all in the corrals so we’d be ready to go at 4:15. However, someone in the 5K group took a wrong turn, which means a lot of lemmings took it too, so we were postponed until about 4:30 so the 5Kers could clear out. Finally, the buzzer sounded and we were off. I had two ladies behind me from the beginning and passed a woman on the first loop. Since it had been raining this week the dust wasn’t as bad as it typically is; However, the ground was quite soft in some areas. The last time I had run was about a week before the race and boy could I feel it.

I felt like I was running the race on my own for most of the time since I couldn’t see anyone in front of me nor the people behind me. I would see the other racers when we were on an out and back portion because they were coming back while I was still going out! I ran into two of my running buddies from my group this last fall. That was pretty cool! I was hoping I would NOT see Mike here because if I did that meant I had a looonnnng way to go still. Mike is about twice as fast as I am. I also happened to see the woman I passed at the beginning of the race. I know she didn’t pass me again, so apparently she decided to take a short cut. Oh well, her loss.

My legs were so heavy on this run and the sand/roots were not my friend. I almost face planted a couple of times but thankfully I recovered and no one was there to see it! No witnesses means it didn’t happen…except I’ve already told y’all! Usually Mike comes back to find me and finish the race with me when he’s done but I was getting close to the end and had yet to see him.

I finally got to the paved portion which meant a little over a quarter mile and I was finished! There was Mike, walking toward me. He had apparently gone back to find me but the woman at the aid station said there were only 2 people left in the race and my bib number wasn’t one of them. Not sure who he talked to or when, but I was still there…pushing along!

As I came up on the finish line a lot of the people eating crawfish were cheering me on, which was nice but at the same time I have this voice in the back of my head saying “awww…let’s cheer on the slow poke, she definitely needs it”. Donna and Patty (my running buddies) were there to high five me on my way in too. All in all, for being tired and ready to stop I was actually in a pretty good mood at the end! It took me 1:41: 52, which was a 16:26 minute mile but that’s ok. I was doing a lot of ups and downs on the trail. Just for comparison, I finished my marathon relay portion in 1:28 (6.25 miles) which was roughly the same distance but was flat!

I plopped down on the grass for a little bit just to catch my breath then decided it was time to go. We couldn’t find where the shuttle was picking people up from and I really didn’t want to stop for too long otherwise I’d get stiff so Mike and I walked back to our car (another 1.5 miles!). By the end of the day I’d gone 9 miles!

We went to Panera Bread where I treated myself with a grilled cheese sandwich, tomato soup, and a fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookie! I don’t know if I’ll do this race again next year since my friend Amy wants me to do the Hero run and I don’t know if it will be the same day again…but we’ll see!

One thing that stands out to me, this is my 5th year of races! That is awesome! I would NEVER have thought I’d run races let alone doing them consistently for 5 years. I feel like a badass!

This year I decided to do the 1/2 marathon again on New Year’s Day. What a great way to start the new year! Unfortunately, this year it was a bit rainy. However, it did make for almost optimal running with the cooler temps and no glaring sun!

Last year was the year of the pig. This year was the year of the rat. Nice, right?! They did have a cute inflatable rat in a trap though. It looks all shimmery but that’s just because it was raining.

My running coach, Liz, was there to cheer us on this year! I also met Sandra and Ruth (Sandra in middle) who will be part of our 4 man Marathon relay in March! That was a pleasant surprise.

We all gathered around the starting line trying to stay warm as we waiting for the sun to rise. The park is closed from dusk to dawn, so we had to wait for the dawn to move in!

At 8 AM, it was officially start time for the Marathon. I had originally signed Mike and I up for the 1/2 Marathon, but Mike decided he was going to run the full. Yep…not training…just jump in with both feet! Doesn’t he look excited?!

They counted down the seconds then the Marathon group took off. We 1/2 Marathoners were left to wait 15 minutes to give the first group a chance to spread out some.

This year I had completed all of my training and came through without any injuries, so I was feeling pretty good! When 8:15 AM hit, I was off like lightening! So fast, I’m nothing but a blur!

Ok, so I wasn’t that fast but I was going faster than I should have been that early in the race. My adrenaline always gets the best of me. I tried to slow it down a bit but I was already starting to get some shin splints. Thankfully they were gone by mile 3. Normally they have signs posted on the trees with everyone’s name, but since it was raining they didn’t have them this time. However, it was still a nice run.

The loop goes along the greenbelt trails behind and among houses then wraps around Lake Houston. This is one of my favorite parts because you can always see ducks and other birds hanging around.

There’s a man-made lake that we also run around after the turn around and on our way back to the start. That’s a nice little loop as well. For the 1/2 marathon we get to go around it twice! This is where Liz was waiting to cheer us on. More cowbell please! This photo was after the first loop. I was a bit more fresh that time than the second.

I passed Mike several times, as I did many other runners. Since the Marathon people go around the loop 4 times you’ll see them going and coming! I was passed by the two lead Marathoners before I finished my first loop. They were hauling. I believe first place finished in 3:10:00.

When I made the first turnaround, I decided I was going to run until I just HAD to walk. It was too hard to do intervals with all the stopping and starting. Once I stopped running it was very hard to get going again. So, I ended up running (albeit slowly) the last 10 miles of the race! I was hurting toward the end. Mike passed me the last time and made the comment that he was hurting at that point too. Unfortunately, he was just heading out for his last loop while I was about a mile and a half from the finish!

I crossed the finish line with an official time of 3:14:43 which put me at a sub 15 pace (14:52) and was a PR (205 out of 259)!! I was about 9 minutes faster than the year before. I was hurt last year though, so it makes me wonder a bit if I hadn’t been hurt what I could have done. *shrug*

The race photos were kinda funny this year. I looked way too happy (first loop…again!):

And Mike looked just flat out bored!

Liz, Sandra, and Ruth were at the finish line. It was nice to have people cheering me on at the finish line! I grabbed a slice of pizza, a couple of chocolate chip cookies (Hey, I earned it!), and some water while Liz and I waited for Mike to finish. He had a goal of finishing in 4 hours or less. His official time was 4:02:43 (9:16/M; 51 out of 248). That is outstanding for someone who didn’t run any further than 10 miles leading up to this! You could tell he was hurting though as he crossed over.

I was, and am, very proud of him. We grabbed our medals and headed home. He was so cold afterward he was shaking and just couldn’t get warm. We had the heat up full blast in the car and when we got home I bundled him up in flannel pants, a blanket, and my space heater! This is one reason why we train people!! You have to get your body used to the distances. Mike swore he’d never do another marathon but a few days later he was already calculating how to beat this year’s time!

Even though I said I wasn’t going to, that this 1/2 was going to be my last long run, I signed Mike and I up for the FULL Marathon next year! Afterall, what better year to do my marathon than the Year of the Elephant!

Who knew that mixing food coloring with corn starch could make for a fun race? I originally was supposed to do the Color Run in Houston back in November, but I had to cancel. Thankfully, my friend Amy had already signed up for the Color Me Rad (horrible name, in my opinion!) 5K in Austin, so I decided to hang with her and Jeremy! We had to wear white to the race, otherwise how would you know how colorful you could get?!

I look a bit like a hospital patient with the headband…oh well! There were quite a few people there trying to get shirts and other race swag. Some people would do anything to stand out!

We were supposed to run in the 10:30 heat, but decided to go ahead and line up with the 10:00 crowd. We had gone out to watch some local bands the night before and the last thing we wanted to do was stand around any longer than necessary!

When it’s time to take off, they spray down the front people with color right away then send us out to the course. There were some interesting outfits! It very much felt like an 80’s party (notice the colorful sunglasses and use of “Rad”!).

Throughout the course there were color stations where they would throw different colored powder on you or spray you down with liquid of some sort! The powder was extremely difficult to breathe in.

If that picture doesn’t explain why it’s difficult to breathe, this one should!

The further you got in the race the more colorful everyone was. I ran toward the middle of the group so I wasn’t as covered as most. Which is a good thing because it was hard enough to wash off the color I did have embedded in my ears, nose, and just about every nook and cranny!

After the race they had “color bombs” they set off now and then, which basically consisted of everyone throwing color in the air. You got one free color packet at the finish line but could buy more if you wanted to. I’d be curious to know how much they made on the color packets alone. I’ll make you a bucket full for $20!

Amy and Jeremy got blasted a lot more than I did! We completed the race in 50:47…not too shabby!

Mike and I got to the Run Thru the Woods starting line early. They were setting up the awards stand (sorry to the guy whose bum I caught in this photo) and getting ready for the festivities!

They had all sorts of food, including cookies, brownies, bananas, mixed fruit, coffee and hot chocolate. I got a cup of mixed fruit and enjoyed a little extra breakfast.

They had this huge monster truck called the Whambulance. It was strictly for publicity…of course! It’s so big you can’t hardly see the guy standing by the back tire looking underneath it. It’s a bit dark because it was just breaking dawn (no, not with vampires). I met up with Liz and some of the other people in my running group and we did a warm up before the race. I think we did a little over a mile.

Once I finished with the warm up I found Mike again and we lined up for the start. There were a lot of people there! I was a little surprised because it was Thanksgiving morning, but I was also happy to see the turnout!

They have a Pine Cone Award if you run three specific races in three days (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). To promote that, they had this little guy walking around!

The horn blasted and we were off. It’s really hard to see in this picture but about a half mile in to the race we had to go over an overpass. It was really quite cool to see all of the people running up and over the overpass. If you click on the picture you may be able to see the enlarged version.

I looked at my watch as I was approaching the overpass and it said my pace was 12:30. That was wayyy too fast for me, so I slowed it down. Why? So I would be able to run the race without fading out and so I wouldn’t get shin splints! However, it was very hard to slow down too much. I had people going around my right side where there was only an inch or two of running room. Really? Go around the other side people!

I was passed by an older woman toward the beginning that chose as my target. I always pick one woman to try and beat so I keep pushing myself to go. As I got up and over the over pass and 80 year old woman passed me. I felt very small at that point in time! Onward and upward!! About mile 1.5 I passed the red shirt lady (she put up quite a fight because she didn’t want me passing) and was ahead of her for a good 1 1/2-2 miles. She went past me as we entered a neighborhood. That was ok though because I was still going to beat her in the end. She was using up her energy, I was conserving until the end. I also picked out a guy in a red t-shirt that was in front of me too. Apparently, I was the bull being attracted to red!

I wanted to reach the 4 mile mark before I saw Mike again. He always comes back to finish races with me, but I want to be as close to done as I can be before he shows up! One of these days I’ll finish before he comes back…maybe! He ran with me back up the overpass, which stinks at the end of a race, and almost to the finish line. As I was going over the overpass I passed the woman in red again because she had gassed out. So, I set my sights on the man and kept plugging away. Mike took my phone and ran ahead so he could get a picture of me crossing the finish line when we had about 1/4 mile left to go. That’s when I decided to really push it.

I turned on the boosters and gave it all I had. I passed the guy and his wife and was feeling pretty good until I rounded the corner and realized I may have turned it on a little too quick! However, I dug deep and made it across the finish line well ahead of the couple. Mike was no where to be found. When I did find him, he told me he wasn’t able to get a picture of me because he couldn’t figure out how to take the photo and apparently I came to the finish line too quickly because he wasn’t ready! All in all, that’s a win in my book! My official time was 1:10:41 which is a 14:08 pace!! Yeah buddy! I was 2126th out of 2150 participants. Mike finished in 35:57 with a pace of 7:11. I know, right? Men….